WYATT selected as Capital Hoedown Showdown Finalist Winners

101 artists competed and over 192,000 judged online at ourstage.com to help the Hoedown staff select the best up and coming country act in Canada. After three rounds of voting, three finalists were selected to perform at the “Capital Hoedown Showdown Finale” in front of a live audience at the Lone Star East in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 8PM. One of these acts will be lucky enough to perform on the same stage as artists such as Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Rascal Flatts!

The finalists chosen were:

Danielle Bourjeaurd – Sharon, Ontario – Danielle was introduced to music at the young age of 4 and immediately fell in love. Heavily influenced by artists such as Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, and Linda Ronstadt to learning the traditional ballads of Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton. It was not long before Danielle learned to be a flexible and open minded performer and songwriter. Her versatile nature allows her to draw crowds close with soft flowing ballads as well as showcase her powerful voice with emotionally charged performances. ourstage.com/profile/daniellebmusic

Pear – Calgary, Alberta – Pear weaves an infectious blend of pop/country and roots music with an extremely energetic live show. They have built an impressive fan base throughout North America, Asia, Europe and Scandinavia and have just recently come back from their second tour of China (2010). They helped form what the Walt Disney Corporation has dubbed “The hottest fiddle show in the world” and instrumentally (and vocally), they have backed some of the biggest stars on stage and in session in the pop/country/folk and world music idioms. ourstage.com/profile/pear

WYATT – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Ride along the gritty edge of rock to the heart of country and you’ll find yourself moving to the sounds of WYATT, an original 4-piece band from Saskatoon, drives the sound of progressive country bands like Emerson Drive and Doc Walker and grounds it with the depth and groove of Tom Petty. Imagine old school southern rock combined with the rich, vocal flavours of Bon Jovi, The Eagles and Rascal Flatts…..this is Rock Country. ourstage.wyattmusic.com

A judging panel selected the country act with the highest score (based on the following criteria: (i) presentation; (ii) originality and creativity; (iii) melody, vocal ability and music; (iv) lyrics; and (v) entertainment value) as the grand prize winner.

The grand prize winner was…..WYATT!

“This is a great opportunity to showcase some great Canadian country music talent. Canada is full of talented musicians and we are excited to welcome WYATT to this year’s Capital Hoedown line-up.” says Denis Benoit, President – Capital Hoedown.

WYATT – Ride along the gritty edge of rock to the heart of country and you’ll find yourself moving to the sounds of WYATT, an original 4-piece band from Saskatoon, drives the sound of progressive country bands like Emerson Drive and Doc Walker and grounds it with the depth and groove of Tom Petty. Imagine old school southern rock combined with the rich, vocal flavours of Bon Jovi, The Eagles and Rascal Flatts…..this is Rock Country. ourstage.wyattmusic.com